Girdle and corset stay



1944- c. H. VAN ALLA-N GIRDLE ANDY'CORSET STAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed spt. 19, 1942 8"- 1944. c. H. VAN ALLAN GIRDLE AND. CORSET STAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 19, 1942 Patented Aug. 8, 1944 UNIT ED: STAT ESL. PAT E NT F F ICE- 2355,2575 GIRDIJE. AND CORSET STAY Coral H. Van Allan, Elmira, N; Y. Applicationlseptember- 19, 1942, Serial No. 458,987

3 Claims.

This invention relates. toimprovements in wearing apparel and particularly to means tomaintain a corset, girdle, surgical belt, abdominal belt, or the like in a desired position upon the wearer's body.

It is customary, when wearing a girdle, corset-,

worn, however, either-because of the current'style or because of-a shortage of hosiery; the necessity" for the; provision of some means of maintaining the girdle in position becomes apparent. Heretofore various attachmentsfor corset'slor theglike', for the purpose of'retaining; the corset in positionyhave been proposedbut, for one reason or'another, have not met with popular-favor;

- The object of this invention is, to 'providean' improvedanchoring means by whicha girdle or the like is prevented from sliding upwardlywhen' stockings arenotiworn andwhich is of suchj character that it is acceptable to an exacting wearer,' from all points of view. The improved girdle fs tay-down will'fit closely the thigh of the wearer and'will not slideupwardly when the garter straps of the. girdle are, secured to the .staydown even though asubSt'antiaI pull may be exertediby such straps; andiwillremaincomfortable to the wearer at all times.

The girdle, stay-down, whichcomprises the subject matter oftheinventionfits smoothly the,

thigh of the wearer at all timesand will not show throughthe outer. garments.

' Other advantages, of the invention will heapparent from the. following detailed description and claims. v v I 'In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view ofthe "s'tay down ass-applied to thebody of thewearer;

li igure zfls; a perspective; view of a preferred embodimentv of this invention;

Figure 2a is adiagrammatic view-of the compositestrip from. which is formed theendless band showmin:.,1 igure; 2;:

V Figurezb isa diagrammatic; view of. thecompositestrip from whichis formeda modification,-

of; the endless: band; shown in", Figure. 2';

t Figure. 3; is a perspective; View; of a modified;

form of the invention;

Figure 4 is aperspective VieWbf anothen modifled form of the invention;

Byso attaching the girdle to 4 down formed of front parts l5, Ni, ii; back parts l8,

Figure 5 is a perspective-view of astill further modification of this invention;

Figure 6 isa perspective-view of another modifled form of this invention.

The girdle l0 illustrated in Figure l is of con ventional type, having attached thereto a plurality' of depending straps ll. adjustableand carry fasteners I2 at their lower ends. In orderto prevent the girdle riding upwardly when stockings are not-worn, thefasteners l2 are detachablysecured to the girdle staydown l3 in a manner similar to that used when stockings are worn.

In Figure 2 of the drawings the girdle stay- M is in the form of an endless bandl9; and a pair of side parts 2|. The front parts l5, [land rear parts l8, l9-consist of sections, each of which preferably has theshapeof a trapezoid and is fabricated ofa web of fabric incapable of stretching in a vertical direction but preferably stretchable in a horizontal direction. 'The front part I6 having 'the configuration of a trapezoid and the-side parts 20;21 which are preferably triangular in shape, are formed or,

elastic material having in the-preferred forma two-way stretch but which may be'of' thesame material as parts [5, ll", l8, 19; the material being s0 disposed that thedirection-of'stretch is at right angles to the direction of stretch of parts l5, l1, I8, IS. The rear parts l-8-, Harej'oined securely together along seam 22 therebycompleting the endless band. Narrow hems 23, 24may be. formed on the upper and lower edges of the band to increase the resistance to wear.

Figure 2a is a diagrammatic view of the-composite strip 'fI'Om WhiChiiS' formed the band shown a in Figure 2 and shows the general form ofallparts and their relative-arrangement in the-strip.

In thisfigure the parts have been indicated by using the same numerical'charactersas used on;

the correspondingpartsin Figure 2; v

In the. diagrammatic view of the composite strip shown in Figure 212 there isillnstr-aixeol a modification of the strip disclosedin' Figure 2a.

When the endsof the strip shown in Figure 2bare joined, three parts 25 26, 211 will form the frontportion of the stay-down; three parts 2B; 29, 30 will form the back portion; andtwo parts 3|, 32 will formthe side portions of the staydown. (3n each terminalpiece 233 3-8; cooperating separable fasteners suchas eye-hooks $3; 33' and 34, 34 are mounted, these fasteners-being adapted to secure the ends of thestrips to gether thereby forming an endless bands about These straps are the thigh. Each part 25, 21, 28, 29 comprises a section having the shape of a trapezoid cut from fabric which is incapable of stretching appreciably in a vertical direction, but which preferably may stretch horizontally. Trapezoidal sections 26, and sections 3|, 32, each of which may be either in the form of an inverted triangle or trapezoid, are formed preferably of elastic material capable of a two-way stretch but may be formed of the same material as sections 25, 21, 28, 29 cut sothat the principaldirection of stretch is at right angles to that of the other sections. Making certain sections capable of elongating in a vertical direction up and down the wearers body and other sections capable of circumferential expansion prevents'the staydown from slipping and sliding laterally over the wearers body.

The arrangement of the various parts shown in Figures 2a and 2b provide for a distribution of elasticity which will prevent the: stay-down from sliding upwardly or laterally upon the wearers body under the. tension of straps II when fasteners 12 are secured to the firm parts 25, 21 or 28, 29 of the stay-down]? to the cooperation between the'elastic and inelastic parts of Figures 2a and'2b which produces an even distribution of elasticity, the various parts are cut and assembled so that the staydown conforms to the normal taper of the thigh even before the attachment is placed on the thigh. V

To assist in maintaining the stay-down in position, the band is made of such width as to distribute the radial pressure upon the thigh over a relatively wide area. Thus, by providing for an even distribution of elasticity, having the band conform to the normal taper of the thigh, and making the band of sufficient width, the

stay-down is not only held firmly in position I but is at all times comfortable to the wearer.

The girdle stay-downs just described and shown in Figures 2-and 2b are especially designed for stout figures since, in the case of such a figure, there is normally a greater pull exerted by the garter straps upon the hold-down means. This form of the invention, however, may be used for.

all types of figures. It will be found particularly helpful to those who are very active since the stay-down is designed toaccommodateitself to the tension resulting from the movement of. the bodywhen the wearer bends or stretches.

In Figure 3 there is illustrated another embodiment of the invention. Here the. circular, band is formed froma relativelywide piece of fabric, preferably of material which is vertically and cireumferentially extensible and contractible and so cut that, when the ends of said piece of fabric are joined to form a seam 36, the.

circular band 35 conforms to the normal taper of the thigh. The upper and lower edge of the band 35 may be further strengthened by folding narrow hems 31, 38 thereon.. It will be noted that the band is of sufiicient width to provide ample room for the strap fastener I2 to be secured to the upper edge of the stay-down in the manner similar to that shown in Figure 1. Moreover the band is of such width and form as to evenly distribute the pressure on the thigh over a wide area thereby increasing the comfort to the wearer and preventing the stay-down from sliding upwardly on the thigh. The modification just described and shown in Figure 3 will be found.

most satisfactory for general use where a medium weight girdle is worn.

In addition In the further modified form of the invention shown in Figure 4 the stay-down" 39 is formed of two pieces of knitted fabric 40, 4| so cut that each has the shape of a trapezoid with the shorter horizontal side as the base. Thus, when the ends of the pieces 40, 4! are joined to form seams 42, 43, the band 39 will conform to the normal taper of the thigh. Narrow hems 44, 45 are formed on the upper and lower edges of the band respectively to increase resistance to wear. The form just described and shown inFigure 4 -is designed for a general use where a medium weight girdle is used.

In Figure 5 a further modification of the present invention is shown. In this form the staydown 46 is fabricated of a relatively wide band of fabric 41 such as that commonly used in the manufacture of hosiery, the lower margin of said band 41 being turned upwardly and its edge being stitched as at 48 to define a narrow circular passage having an opening 50. This passage defining portion 49 with its opening 50 serves as retai i smeans for a drawstring 5|. After the wearer has placed the stay-down" 46 in position, the ends of the strap 5i are drawn until the lower edge of the stay-down 46 is held firmly in position. The ends of the drawstring 5| are then tied securely. In this manner -addi-; tional security against the girdle sliding upward 1y is obtained.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, the stay-down in dicated generally at 52 is formed from a relatively narrow strip of fabric 53 which is preferably but not necessarily of inelastic material. The ends of the piece53 are, securely joined along seam 54. As indicated in the drawings the strip 53 is cut so as to give the stay-down 52 a slight taper causing it to conform to the shape of the thigh. Attached to the upper edge of the band at its front and side, are three tabs 55, 56, and 51, respectively, tabs 55 and 56 being positioned on that side of the band which is to be to' the front when the band is worn, and tab 51 being to the side .at such time. All three tabs 55, 56, 51 are arranged so as to cooperate with the depending straps of the girdle. It is understood that the' tabs may be placedin anyposition necessary to facilitate the attaching of the girdle strap to the stay-down. The modified form just described and shown in Figure 6' will be found particularly useful for slender figures where normally'light girdles or the like are wornf It should be understoodthatany of theembodiments of this invention could be made in various sizes and adapted to be positioned on the thigh by using eye-hooks, snap fasteners or any other type of separable fastener. Those who find it inconvenient to slide the stay-down overthe leg might prefer simply to hook the stay down" about the thigh. j I j j As has been pointed out previously the staydowns are preferably though not necessarily made of elastic material.-- 5 Such material as nylon, rayon, silk, cotton and knitted fabric as well as elastic fabric employing rubber or the like may be successfully used. Regardless of what material is used, however, it must be understood that the band has a limited circumferential expansion. Thus, after the band has been positioned on the thigh, there is no additional. circumferential expansion and the band is for the most part inextensible.

The embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings and. described inthe, specification embody the generic features of the invention and are set forth only by way of example.

Having thus described the invention; what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A new article of wearing apparel to be used in combination with a corset, girdle, abdominal belt or the like to prevent the girdle or the like sliding upwardly when stockings are not used as an anchoring means, comprising a resilient thigh-encircling band shaped to conform to the normal taper of the thigh and formed of front, side and rear portions; the said front portion formed of several trapezoidal sections, each side formed of a triangular shaped section and the rear portion formed of at least one trapezoidal section, wherein a front trapezoidal section and the triangular sections are capable of stretching in a vertical and circumferential direction and the remaining sections are incapable of stretching in a vertical direction.

2. A new article of wearing apparel to be used in combination with a corset, girdle, abdominal belt or the like to prevent the girdle or the like slidingupwardly when stockings are not used as an anchoring means, comprising a thigh-encircling band shaped to conform to the normal taper of the thigh and formed of a plurality of vertically extensible and inextensible sections, said sections so arranged that between each vertically extensible section there is a section which is incapable of stretch in a vertical direction.

3. A new article of wearing apparel to be used in combination with a corset, girdle, abdominal belt or the like to prevent the girdle or the like sliding upwardly when stockings are not} used as an anchoring means, comprising a thigh-encircling band formed of a plurality of sections of fabric having elastic properties, said elastic sections so arranged that alternate sections are capable of stretch in a direction at right angles to the principal direction of stretch of the remaining sections, thereby decreasing the tendency of the band to shift laterally and vertically upon the thigh of the wearer.

CORAL H. VAN ALLAN. 

